1849

This article is about the year 1849.

Events

January–March

• Goldrush TP continues.
• January 23 – Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her M.D. by the Medical Institute of Geneva, New York, thus becoming the United States' first woman doctor.
• February 14 – In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes the first President of the United States to have his photograph taken.
• February 28 – Regular steamboat service from the west to the east coast of the United States begins with the arrival of the SS California in San Francisco Bay. The California leaves New York Harbor on October 6, 1848, rounds Cape Horn at the tip of South America, and arrives at San Francisco, California after the 4 month 21 day journey.
• March 3 - Minnesota becomes a United States territory.
• March 4 – Zachary Taylor refuses to be sworn in office on a Sabbath (Sunday). Urban legend holds that David Rice Atchison, President pro tempore of the United States Senate was President de jure for a single day.
• March 5 – Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States of America, takes his oath of office.